Finding my Mojo

Somewhere in January my crochet mojo just packed its bags and buggered off on holiday. No matter how hard I tried, I just could not force myself to enjoy any projects, new or old. Feelings of self-doubt plagued me for most of the month; I wasn’t sure I ever wanted to pick up a crochet hook again. Thankfully for me, January was a slow month, order wise. I only had a small backlog to work through. I suppose it was a combination of the winter blues with a bit of post Christmas burnout, I just needed some time for myself.

However, as quick as it came, it was gone! Now I’m back to feeling as enthusiastic as ever. I have a few pattern ideas swirling around and a couple of projects from my favourite designers that I can’t wait to make, including A Morning Cup if Jo’s new Giraffe pattern.

Meanwhile, even though I’d completely lost my mojo, I’ve been plugging away at the #CrochetMoodBlanket2014 project, crocheting a hexagon a day, reflecting my mood. I’ll admit to cheating a bit; I didn’t feel like crocheting a few days, so I added a “filler” colour. Here’s January’s progress:

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I love the colours I chose, they reflect my own personal tastes perfectly. I’m really a pinks and blues kind of girl. Like my mum, I think turquoise is my favourite colour.

This is the mood palette; I’ve added a few interpretations since, because my moods are way more complex than “Happy,” or “Sick,” it. Turns out. Who’d have thought…?

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I share pictures all the time on Instagram, so come join me. I’d love to see your photos too. It’s my favourite social media network, as let’s face it. I love looking at other peoples’ photos. I don’t care if we’re never likely to meet, it makes me feel as though we might… So add me here: Miss__Neriss

Here’s to longer days (and cooler weather for my Southern Hemisphere lovelies).

Special Request: Pippi Longstocking

When I was contacted recently by an acquaintance to make a Pippi Longstocking doll for her daughter I did some digging around the internet to find a pattern, only to come up empty. I couldn’t find anything that I really loved. Lots of options, but nothing that that fit the brief.

So, I decided that now was the time to start designing my own Pippi! Something that was exciting and a bit nerv-wracking at the same time because I’d never even made a doll before. I’ve made loads of stuffed animals and characters, but never a doll.

Here’s how it turned out:

Pippi Longstocking, as seen on missneriss.com

Pippi Longstocking, as seen on missneriss.com

Pippi Longstocking, as seen on missneriss.com

I’m busy working on a pattern for the doll. Whether it becomes a Pippi pattern listed for free (due to copyright), or a general doll pattern remains to be seen. What would you prefer? A Pippi Longstocking pattern?

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Cabbage Patch Kids are the new Black

I’m calling it. Minions are over and Cabbage Patch Kids are back! Well, I don’t really believe that myself, but it seems everywhere I look I see cute babies wearing Cabbage Patch Kids hats.

Did you have one as a child? I think I was the only girl at school not to have one (I didn’t have any My Little Ponies either, poor me) and now all of a sudden I’m in an age group where it’s time to be nostalgic for all things 80s!

This last week I had two orders to make these Cabbage Patch Kids hats, and I found a great free pattern from the Dearest Debi site. The pattern is for a newborn, but it is extremely easy to up-size it to whatever you need.

Here are the results of my endeavours:

Cabbage Patch Kid hat on missneriss.com.  Based on a FREE pattern by Dearest Debi.

What do you think about this new craze to be rocking the crochet world? I’ve never been a fan of Cabbage Patch Kids. I prefer the Garbage Gang/pail Kids instead. But everything comes back into fashion, so best to just embrace it!

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Happy New Year, Crochet a Mood Blanket!

Beste Wensen!

That’s me wishing you best wishes for the new year. Β Usually I would be expected to do a lap of the office kissing my colleagues giving them my best wishes, but as I now work from home, consider this my virtual smooch.

2014 is already off to a great start. Β I look out the window and it is glorious. Β The sun is shining and the temperatures haven’t properly dropped yet, so I’ve never been in such a good mood for the middle of winter, ever!

I’m not usually one for resolutions, as I never keep them, but I decided to have a crack at a few this year. Β But instead of starting them on the first of January, I kicked off early. Β I started running before Christmas. Β Actually, I’ve been going to the gym with a group twice a week and we were on holidays over the Christmas period, so I had to do something to keep active. Β Not ever being a runner, I surprised myself by getting out there and doing it. Β My husband has been coming with me and although he’s a natural athlete and is nearly walking beside me, he’s amazing.

I’ve also decided to look for more things to be grateful in my life. Β I’m a pessimist by nature, so it’s easy for me to find negatives everywhere, especially during the colder months, but that’s not the person I want to be any more so I’m making a change! Β Each day I’m going to share something with the world (via FB, Twitter or Instagram) that I’m grateful for. Β Perhaps I’ll do a weekly round up here, but we’ll have to see how my motivation and time goes!

In the Crochet world, it’s as busy as ever! Β I have orders in the queue for Owl hats, a lion doggie sweater, a pippi longstocking doll, plus slippers that I’ve designed:

I used Sheepjeswol Roma big, and they’re lovely and snuggly. Not only that, because they’re so chunky, the stitches act like a masseur. So massaged, warm feet. What more could a girl ask for?!

Aside from the orders, I’ve picked up a project for myself this year, it’s the #crochetmoodblanket2014 crochet along that I discovered on New Year’s Eve on Instagram. There are more than 1000 people taking part, it’s amazing. I’ve been looking for a community to join that is filled with like-minded souls, and I’ve found it!

This is my mood palette:

And here is my progress for the first couple of days:

And day two:

I’m making a hexagon blanket inspired by my grandmother who makes the most beautiful hexagon quilts. Here’s one she made for my daughter, it’s one of her favourite things:

I found the pattern via Baby Love Brand, it’s a paid pattern, but well worth the (very small) investment. I’m using Drops Cotton Light to make it, and the colours are a mix of my favourites.

What’s inspiring you on these first few days of 2014? If you’re looking for a wonderful project, the crochet a mood blanket group is open to all comers, experts and newbies alike!
 

 

Ravelry Giveaway, just in time for Christmas!

I’m giving away 20 copies of my Merry Mini Christmas hat for free on Ravelry to help everyone get into the Christmas spirit! Just enter MERRYMINIXMAS when checking out!

Free pattern with coupon code MERRYMINIXMAS for the first 20 customers!http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/mini-santa-christmas-hat

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Instagram Action

I love taking photos, but my time is so limited that I never seem to get round to taking fabulously constructed shots with great lighting. Coupled with a daughter who will not sit still to take a sharp shot and a husband I never see during daylight hours, my model opportunities are often limited to desperate selfies! Honestly, most photos are taken on my couch at 11pm with my iPad before items get wrapped and shipped. Because of that, Instagram is my absolute best friend. I can share what I like there and it’s ok that my images aren’t professionally finished. Poor lighting isn’t the end of the world. I just try not to post blurred photos…

Here’s some of my latest creations that have only really made it as far as Instagram:

The pattern for this one is coming soon!

The pattern for this one is available to buy on Craftsy and Ravelry

Meanwhile, did you know that WordPress allows you to add Instagram images to posts by merely pasting the image link into the post/page? Looks fantastic and is interactive as well! Don’t forget to follow me on Instagram, it’s where I spend most of my time.

How do you tackle the time vs lighting vs model issues?

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Pinned today:

Pudge the Pup – pattern on Craftsy. Seen on missneriss.com #amigurumi #crochet

A dog and a monkey walked into a bar…

Well, they didn’t. Β But could you imagine where that might lead..?

These are two little guys that I finished last night and are ready to head off to their new homes today.

Johnny the Monkey from #Zoomigurumi on missneriss.com

 

This is Johhny the Monkey from the Zoomigurumi book, produced by amigurumipatterns.net. Β It, and it’s sequel Zoomigurumi 2 are my absolute favourite pattern books. Β I love the photographs and I LOVE the patterns inside. Β All my favourite designers are in there!

And this one I found on CraftsyΒ (or it could have been Ravelry or Etsy, it’s for sale there too)Β – Pudge the Pup. Β Isn’t he just adorable? Β My daughter is in love with him. Β So much so that there will be arguments soon when it’s time for me to send him off to his new home.

Pudge the Pup - pattern on Craftsy.  Seen on missneriss.com #amigurumi #crochet

 

Both animals were made with wool this time. Β Usually I use cotton yarn, but I wanted them to be extra snuggly and fuzzy and they look great.

Johnny the Monkey was made with Drops Merino Extra fine, and Pudge the Pup with Drops Big Merino.

Anyone say headless chicken?

That’s how busy I am. Β I’m running around like a headless chicken and only seem to bumping into stuff and making a mess everywhere.

Work has had me run ragged; changing jobs has been a wonderful step forward for me although a couple of weeks ago some of my most trusted and beloved colleagues were made redundant as a by-product of the business’ strategy shake up. Β It was devastating to have them sitting across from me one minute and gone the next. Β I’m still quite shaken about it all, I can only imagine how they feel about it.

Christmas orders have also been keeping me out of trouble – I’ve been working on some lovely amigurumi projects which I’ll link upon finishing and a load of hats and even a doggie hoodie! Β Here’s a peek:

Santa Bust on missneriss.com.  Links to a free pattern by Dendennis!

In time for Christmas, I found this super adorable Santa bust on the Dendennis Facebook page. Β Dendennis is a local Amsterdam amigurumist (with his first book coming out next year) and he posted an entire set of winter themed patterns, all for free!

If you haven’t heard of Movember before, it’s an awesome cause I get behind in one form or another every year. Β Last year I convinced my dad to shave off his moustache for the first time in years to raise money, and he managed to raise more than $1000 AUD. Β Amazing, hey! Β This year my husband jumped on the wagon and part of his campaign was to take photos of himself in any pose requested. Β He topped it off with an incredible homage to Freddie Mercury:Β I want to break free #Movember

He’s managed to get himself into the top 100 nationally (Netherlands) and donations are still open for a few more days, so go on. Β There’s perhaps no better cause than Men’s Health.

Here’s my mo.

My ode to Movember, free pattern!

Ages ago on the Winkieflash blog I saw a post about an amazing skein of yarn from Knit Collage. Β I really wanted to buy it, but at 30 plus euros I couldn’t justify it. Β Until I visited KreaDoe in Utrecht and nearly went bananas with all the pushing and shoving and the inability to do or see anything that I really wanted to do. Β So I bought myself a skein of Gypsy Garden as a reward, and this hat is the result. Β It’s deliciously warm, I’m wearing it every day. Β The photo unfortunately doesn’t do it justice, it’sΒ much nicer in person!

Knit Collage BeanieHere’s something I’m extraordinarily proud of; Lucie Bunny. Β She began as a pattern from Sidrun that I posted earlier, but over time she has become less someone else’s pattern and much more my own design. Β It’s such a shame that I’ll never be able to list her as a pattern for someone else, but that just wouldn’t be fair on the original, original designer.

Lucie BunnyLucie Bunny

I just love her, especially in the muted colours that I’ve made her in. Β Such a contrast to many of the amigurumi animals and dolls I see every day.

And finally, an owl hat. Β I love making these. Β I’ve made quite a few now (but not photographed them before sending them out the door). Β This is one that I managed to make too small and still have at home, hence the photograph! Β It’s a free pattern that is probably one of the most widely used owl patterns, from Repeat Crafter Me. Β She has loads and loads of seriously cute hat patterns, enough to keep anybody busy for months. Β And just about everything is free!

Owl hat, made with a FREE pattern from Repeat Crafter Me

I could go on and on with the projects I’ve been busy with, but honestly, it’s just cutting into precious crochet time! Β Must get back to it.

My first paid pattern listing!

Several months ago I took my first steps into listing patterns that I have designed on Craftsy and Ravelry, starting with my baby Yoda hat, and they’ve been really successful, into the hundreds of downloads, so I decided that the time has come to see how a paid pattern download will go.

And here it is. My first paid pattern, the Merry Mini Christmas Hat! Right now you can find it on Craftsy and Ravelry. Now, on to world domination!

On Craftsy:

On Ravelry:

Merry Mini Christmas Santa Hat pattern

And just for fun, I’ve linked this one up with Moogly and My Merry Messy Life and Hookin’ on Hump Day